READ: Psalm 105
Psalm
105 is a psalm of teaching and history. A common thread and lesson we see in
Scripture is the reciting of the many things God has done. Not once. Not twice.
But many, many times. This is not to boast of the experiences, but to boast in
the mighty deeds of God and to give Him thanks… again. We can never give God too
much thanks or too much glory! Verse 2 encourages us to tell of all His
wonderful acts. It’s testimony time!
Verse
5 charges us to remember the wonders, but also the judgments God has pronounced
over us. This seems so contrary to our culture. We are known to boast about the
miracles He has done for us – almost as if we were worthy. Yet, it is more
common practice to keep His judgments secret. It’s as if our shame and
reputation is more important than God’s glory! When God has pronounced judgment
on us, it’s His act of love toward us so we might turn back toward Him. Why
should we hide the power of God’s love? When God disciplines and punishes us we
turn to Him in repentance and He forgives us. What greater testimony of God’s
glory and might is there than that?!
The
testimony of God’s glory begins with the promise He made to Abraham; from the
beginning of His relationship with the chosen people. He outlines the promise
God gave, and the journey He took them on from just a few people to a nation
more powerful than any of it’s enemies. This testimony includes God’s plagues
on Egypt. This shows God’s long-suffering and the extent to which He went to
save His people. Yes it was to save His people, but it was also to display His
glory. Miracle upon miracle are repeated for the next generation to hear so
they might also bring God glory as they repeat the story!
Not
only did God do these mighty things because He loved His people, and to display
His glory, but He also bent over backwards to make it as easy as possible for
His people to keep His laws and obey Him. God longs so desperately to be in a
right and intimate relationship with us. We see in verse 45 that this was again
a motivating factor in all He did. His love for His people never ends. Praise
the Lord!
JOURNALING AND
PRAYER
1. Do you know anyone
who repeats the wonderful things God has done over and over and over again?
Have you ever gotten bored with giving God thanks… again? Confess any sin He
convicts you of in regarding to being bored with the stories of His mighty
deeds. Ask the Lord to settle in your heart the purpose and reason He asks us
to repeat the things He has done for us. Write down what He says. Spend some
time thanking God for everything you can think of!
2. Ask God to bring
to your mind something He’s healed you of, freed you from, convicted you of, or
even disciplined you for. Take a few minutes to write out your testimony with
words that bring glory to God instead of you or your sin. Ask Him whom He wants
you to share that with today so His glory will be displayed. Make a commitment
to obey!
3. Consider planning
an hour to spend with your family, a group of friends, or perhaps even members
of your cell group, to get together for the purpose of sharing your testimonies
of the things God has done and the many things He has freed you from. It may be
awkward at first, but you can lead the way by getting things started. Take a
few moments now to pray and ask the Lord how He might want you to move forward
with this idea to glorify Him. Then take action!
